Scottish Family Tree Research

Trace Your Scottish Family Tree

In all of us there is a hunger marrow deep to know our heritage- to know who we are and where we came from.Without this enriching knowledge there is a hollow yearning.No matter what our attainment in life there is still a vacuum,an emptiness,and the most disquieting loneliness.

Alex Haley, author of 'Roots'

The National Records of Scotland

Tracing your Scottish family tree and discovering your Scottish ancestry is an exciting and rewarding journey through the timeline of Scotland’s history. Whether a complete beginner or more experienced researcher we can offer further help.

Trace a family tree

Break down a family history brick wall

Locate and copy genealogy records not available on the internet

With only a few details of an individual born, married or died in Scotland it is possible to begin to compile a family tree. Scottish birth, marriage and death registration became compulsory in 1855 and decennial census returns survive from 1841.

Each project and family is unique and one can never know what material has been recorded or survives. Many will have used the internet to access the increasingly growing number of indexes and digitised records. However there are several sources that still require local detective work and a knowledge of the area.

Situated in Edinburgh,the Scotlands People Centre and the National Records of Scotland plus the National Library of Scotland are the hub for Scottish genealogy research. These national collections are where I will usually start your research. Once a geographical area has been identified for the family’s origins, a visit to the local archive can uncover more information. This can also incorporate a visit to photograph places associated with your family.

No request is too small and please contact me,as I would be pleased to help start tracing your Scottish family tree or locate further information about your Scottish ancestors.

Using the numerous repositories throughout Scotland and visiting your ancestral locations Scotland's Genealogy will endeavour to answer your enquiry. Whether a single event, family tree or social history we will offer a bespoke service.